In Ceiling Speakers - amp recommendations/easy to install?

[nagooro]

Just bought a house and two of the rooms are pre-wired for in ceiling speakers (2 speakers/room - 4 total). What's the best way to get these powered up? I was thinking about getting the SONOS CONNECT:AMP, unless I find a better alternative. Music will mostly be played through a mobile device + spotify.

Also, with the wiring all done and hanging from the ceiling, how hard is it to install a speaker? Seems like its just, trace and cut out a hole, plug the wires into the speaker, screw speaker into place, done?

Any input is appreciated.

Thanks

[spike98]

There is a couple of topics on this already but IMO the cheapest and most reliabile way is:

One of these and one of these per zone. Use these speakers

So in total for two rooms, one zone per room, you are looking at just under $500. Which is less than the price of one Sonos amp.

[The_Rural_Juror]

I have a Sonos Connect Amp that I am going to put up for sale pretty soon because I can't use it at my new place. Otherwise, Spike98's comment works if better if you have Android vs Apple.

[Mitsu3000gt]

Monoprice for the speakers unless you're an audiophile:

https://www.monoprice.com/search/ind...iling+speakers

And I would avoid Sonos and just do something more along the lines of what spike98 linked. It's grossly overpriced and nothing special at all - they don't even publish the actual specification of their products because it only serves to highlight that. $650 for that weak 2ch amp is nuts IMO.

[Buster]

I have 6 zones running Chromecast audios on each.

I use this amp:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sonos can blow me.

[Chandler_Racing]

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I have 6 zones running Chromecast audios on each.

I use this amp:

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Sonos can blow me.

What's your take on that amp?

I have 8 zones through-out the house and 2 on the patio.

They all terminate in the utility room so was definitely considering this.

[Buster]

I've been very happy with it.

I have the 8" Monoprice carbon speakers, and it has no problem driving them past volumes I would ever need. then again, I'm not of the opinion that expensive amps perform better than cheaper amps in terms of sound quality.

[killramos]

I run my home audio with Connect Amps. Have had no issues. Price and features are what they are and there are some threads on the topic already that I won't repeat.

If you want to just out to best buy, and install them overnight they are a great option.

[Chandler_Racing]

Good to hear, Audio Room was supposed to quote and install but didn't hear back from them.

Guess if you're not buying a $10,000 setup they don't care...

The other alternative I was looking at was this: http://www.htd.com/Products/Whole-House-Audio/Lync

[nagooro]

Thanks for the replies everyone, will check out the links and go through my options.

I was going to go with the speakers below as they are moisture resistant and one zone will be in the ensuite bathroom. Was going to put 6" in the bathroom and 8" in the great room.

https://www.amazon.ca/Polk-Audio-RC6...eiling+speaker

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There is a couple of topics on this already but IMO the cheapest and most reliabile way is:

One of these and one of these per zone. Use these speakers

So in total for two rooms, one zone per room, you are looking at just under $500. Which is less than the price of one Sonos amp.

The wiring for the speakers all terminate in the basement furnace room. So would I connect one amp to a pair of speakers, and the chromecast would also connect to the amp? Don't know much about audio stuff as you can tell
I have an android so chromecast should be fine for myself, however my wife is using an iphone, can she still control music on spotify with chromecast?

[Buster]

I have one pair of those polks, and the monprice speakers are WAAY better.

[spike98]

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Thanks for the replies everyone, will check out the links and go through my options.

I was going to go with the speakers below as they are moisture resistant and one zone will be in the ensuite bathroom. Was going to put 6" in the bathroom and 8" in the great room.

https://www.amazon.ca/Polk-Audio-RC6...eiling+speaker




The wiring for the speakers all terminate in the basement furnace room. So would I connect one amp to a pair of speakers, and the chromecast would also connect to the amp? Don't know much about audio stuff as you can tell
I have an android so chromecast should be fine for myself, however my wife is using an iphone, can she still control music on spotify with chromecast?

Yup, one set of speakers, one amp, and one chromecast audio per zone/room. I believe you will need premium spotify if you want to stream with the iphone unless thats changed. If the amp doesn't have 3.5mm in for the input you will need a 3.5mm to RCA adapter. You can get them at the dollar store or amazon for a few bucks.

[nagooro]

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Yup, one set of speakers, one amp, and one chromecast audio per zone/room. I believe you will need premium spotify if you want to stream with the iphone unless thats changed. If the amp doesn't have 3.5mm in for the input you will need a 3.5mm to RCA adapter. You can get them at the dollar store or amazon for a few bucks.

Thanks @spike98 , going to try out this route.

Regarding the amp, would this one suffice:
https://www.amazon.ca/LP-2020A-Class...ords=amplifier

Or is the SMSL SA50 better for a particular reason?

[spike98]

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Thanks @spike98 , going to try out this route.

Regarding the amp, would this one suffice:
https://www.amazon.ca/LP-2020A-Class...ords=amplifier

Or is the SMSL SA50 better for a particular reason?

The one in your link is only 20w x 2. The SA50 is 50w x 2 and will likely be a better choice. More power of course.

[realazy]

For the people running Chromecast audios with an amp for each zone, where are people terminating the cables and locating the amp? For places like the bathroom or kitchens?

Reading more into all this stuff... I guess I answered my own question, it's probably best to have them all terminate in the basement.

[Buster]

my amp sits in my basement, which is where all of my speaker wire ends up.

[realazy]

next question.

Is there a way to use ceiling speakers in a room to double up as rear speakers in a home theater set up?

[Buster]

Do you mean have the source switch?

[realazy]

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Do you mean have the source switch?

Yes, to have it easily switch from the chromecast audio to the home theater as the rear speakers.

[Mitsu3000gt]

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next question.

Is there a way to use ceiling speakers in a room to double up as rear speakers in a home theater set up?

It would be super easy to do if they were connected to the same receiver. You might even be able to incorporate the switching into a wall plate depending how far you want to go with it.